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January 08, 2003
Poaching suspects sought in Pennsylvania
By DARYL GADBOW of the Missoulian
Wardens seek extradition powers for couple facing federal charges
Dean and Renita Ruth, the Seeley Lake-area couple wanted on 12 felony and numerous misdemeanor poaching charges, are believed to be in Pennsylvania, according to state game wardens.
Wardens on Tuesday asked for extradition authority from the Missoula County Attorney's office to have the Ruths returned to Montana to face the charges, said Warden Capt. Jeff Darrah of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
"At this time," said Darrah, "we do have information that they're in Pennsylvania, where they have family."
When the extradition order is issued this week as expected, he said, a warrant for the Ruths' arrest will be posted on the National Crime Information Center network, allowing Pennsylvania law enforcement officers to pick them up. The Ruths would have an opportunity for a court hearing if they want to contest the extradition order, Darrah said.
Dean and Renita Ruth, who live on Woodworth Road in a remote area east of Seeley Lake, each face five felony poaching charges involving more than 100 illegally killed "trophy-class" game animals - including moose, bear, mountain lions, elk and white-tailed and mule deer - over an eight- or nine-year period.
Charges filed against the Ruths in Missoula Justice Court on Dec. 30 also included felony possession of a firearm silencer as well as numerous misdemeanor poaching violations. Other people in Montana and elsewhere may also be charged in the case, according to Darrah.
Missoula Justice John Odlin set bail at $125,000 for Dean Ruth and $50,000 for Renita Ruth. The couple has three children who attended school in Seeley Lake.
Wardens went to the Ruths' residence Dec. 31 to arrest them, but the couple and their children were gone when the officers arrived, according to FWP officials.
The Ruths, who moved to the Seeley Lake area about 10 years ago from Pennsylvania, initially came under investigation by state wildlife officials over a year ago on suspicion of helping out-of-state residents illegally obtain Montana resident hunting licenses.
On Nov. 15, a 10-person team of law enforcement officers served a search warrant at the Ruths' home and associated outbuildings on the 20-acre property they rented.
During the search, officers found two untagged deer and one untagged bear. And they seized evidence that included 108 deer and elk antler racks, hundreds of photographs of family members posing with dead animals, numerous hand-held spotlights and two rifles fitted with an illegal silencing device.
The property where the Ruths live is adjacent to the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, a winter game range that harbors thousands of deer and elk migrating from the Bob Marshall Wilderness and surrounding vicinity.
Reporter Daryl Gadbow can be reached at 523-5264 or at dgadbow@missoulian.com.
Poaching suspects sought in Pennsylvania
By DARYL GADBOW of the Missoulian
Wardens seek extradition powers for couple facing federal charges
Dean and Renita Ruth, the Seeley Lake-area couple wanted on 12 felony and numerous misdemeanor poaching charges, are believed to be in Pennsylvania, according to state game wardens.
Wardens on Tuesday asked for extradition authority from the Missoula County Attorney's office to have the Ruths returned to Montana to face the charges, said Warden Capt. Jeff Darrah of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
"At this time," said Darrah, "we do have information that they're in Pennsylvania, where they have family."
When the extradition order is issued this week as expected, he said, a warrant for the Ruths' arrest will be posted on the National Crime Information Center network, allowing Pennsylvania law enforcement officers to pick them up. The Ruths would have an opportunity for a court hearing if they want to contest the extradition order, Darrah said.
Dean and Renita Ruth, who live on Woodworth Road in a remote area east of Seeley Lake, each face five felony poaching charges involving more than 100 illegally killed "trophy-class" game animals - including moose, bear, mountain lions, elk and white-tailed and mule deer - over an eight- or nine-year period.
Charges filed against the Ruths in Missoula Justice Court on Dec. 30 also included felony possession of a firearm silencer as well as numerous misdemeanor poaching violations. Other people in Montana and elsewhere may also be charged in the case, according to Darrah.
Missoula Justice John Odlin set bail at $125,000 for Dean Ruth and $50,000 for Renita Ruth. The couple has three children who attended school in Seeley Lake.
Wardens went to the Ruths' residence Dec. 31 to arrest them, but the couple and their children were gone when the officers arrived, according to FWP officials.
The Ruths, who moved to the Seeley Lake area about 10 years ago from Pennsylvania, initially came under investigation by state wildlife officials over a year ago on suspicion of helping out-of-state residents illegally obtain Montana resident hunting licenses.
On Nov. 15, a 10-person team of law enforcement officers served a search warrant at the Ruths' home and associated outbuildings on the 20-acre property they rented.
During the search, officers found two untagged deer and one untagged bear. And they seized evidence that included 108 deer and elk antler racks, hundreds of photographs of family members posing with dead animals, numerous hand-held spotlights and two rifles fitted with an illegal silencing device.
The property where the Ruths live is adjacent to the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, a winter game range that harbors thousands of deer and elk migrating from the Bob Marshall Wilderness and surrounding vicinity.
Reporter Daryl Gadbow can be reached at 523-5264 or at dgadbow@missoulian.com.
